Problem

One major benefit of using a parametric feature-based modeler like SOLIDWORKS is that you can build up references in your parts so that as one thing changes, the downstream features will automatically update to reflect that change. In fact, saving time and reducing user interaction is a major theme in the SOLIDWORKS strategy. In SOLIDWORKS, one handy sketch tool is Replace Entity.

Take this bezel, for example. It has been modeled intelligently so that any reasonable dimensional change made to the starting profile (in red) will propagate through. For example, we can use Instant 3D to quickly make the bezel wider and shorter in just a couple of clicks.

But what happens if we decide that the top surface looks a little boring with a constant radius arc? Let’s edit the sketch and delete the arc and draw up a spline that adds a bit more character to this bezel.

Now the feature tree looks more like a Christmas tree (or Holiday tree), and we get to spend the next half hour replacing dangling references, re-selecting fillet edges, re-defining equations, which is not that productive.

Solution

SOLIDWORKS has always done a pretty good job letting users know this was going to happen. Whenever a sketch entity that has downstream references is deleted, SOLIDWORKS will present users with a warning that something is going to break. 

Starting with SOLIDWORKS 2014, this warning was improved. Now, when we attempt to delete a sketch entity that has downstream references, we are presented with the option to Replace Entity.

Note: We can also access the Replace Entity command via Tools > Sketch Tools > Replace Entity.

To use the tool, we just click on an existing sketch entity that we would like all the would-be-dangling items to reference, and click "OK". There is even an option to just turn the old entity into construction geometry in case we want it back later. SOLIDWORKS takes care of finding all the downstream face IDs and other parametric identifiers, and it re-attaches them to the new sketch entity. Really, all this means to us is that when we hit Rebuild, the part changes to reflect the new sketch geometry and all the downstream features update with no additional interaction.

After testing this functionality, the only real limitation that we have encountered is that there has to be a one-to-one relationship between the number of entities that we delete and the number of entities we replace. Meaning we can’t replace five arcs with one spline without some trouble. Also, we have to re-reference entities one at a time, so we would have to individually delete each arc and re-reference the spline five times. 

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.